My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

is so

her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper

on, Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake, what

a

the

Rachel must close her eyes and

blow out

indicate to Julian that there was no

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,”

girl who wasn’t even at table height

hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the

say thank you!” their parents instructed,

like that, the

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first

apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of

well pretend it never

the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you

she turned and

she was inside her apartment and about to close

the door was propped open by a large hand from

her head up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar

out on business?

into the house and shut the door before

see you’ve been getting along fine

she took two steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want

approached her, forcing

idea what she did

caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all